National Fire Prevention Week started Oct. 4. Gainesville and Ocala organizations will join the promotion of the national theme, "Hear the beep where you sleep. Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm!"

Gainesville District 1 City Commissioner Charles Goston, Mayor Ed Braddy and other officials met recently to brainstorm ways to bring supermarkets and restaurants to East Gainesville. That area of town has only two full-service grocery stores, while West Gainesville has 24. Because of the dearth of supermarkets, East Gainesville has been labeled a "food desert," by the USDA.

Grocery stores continue to open in West Gainesville while store options in East Gainesville remain sparse. Parts of East Gainesville qualify as a food desert, according the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Homeless individuals in Alachua County find ways to cope with the cold weather. Some choose to sleep inside at shelters like Grace Marketplace, while others prefer to stay outside with their possessions, rely on friendship to stay warm.

A resident of local homeless shelter Grace Marketplace diagnosed with scabies is causing concern about disease transmission and control. Grace Marketplace are concerned about a potential outbreak of an airborne disease.